# stroke

Pronunciation: say "STROHK" US /stɹoʊk/, UK /stɹəʊk/

## Noun

1. A sudden interruption of the blood supply to the brain, causing brain damage that ranges from minor to major, and possibly death.
   - Simple: A sudden loss of blood flow to the brain, which can cause brain damage or death.
   - _She suffered a stroke at fifty-two and spent months learning to speak again._
   - _Smoking and untreated high blood pressure are major risk factors for stroke._
3. A single movement of a paintbrush, pen, pencil, chisel, or similar implement, or the line or mark it leaves.
   - Simple: One movement of a pen, brush, chisel or similar tool, or the line or mark it makes.
   - _With a few bold strokes of charcoal, the artist caught the dancer's pose._
   - _Up close, you can see every stroke of the brush in the painted sky._
4. A movement of the arms and legs that propels a swimmer through the water; also, a swimming style made up of a particular combination of arm and leg movements.
   - Simple: One movement of the arms and legs that moves a swimmer through water, or a way of swimming.
   - _Swimmers in a medley relay each swim a different stroke._
   - _She pulled away from the pack with long, powerful strokes._
5. A powerful or sudden effort that gets something done or produced; also, the achievement or feat that results from it.
   - Simple: A sudden or strong effort that gets something done, or the success that comes from it.
   - _Moving the launch to December was a stroke of pure genius._
   - _In one stroke, the new law gave millions of workers paid sick leave._
6. One hit of a clock's hammer or clapper on its bell or a similar part; also, the sound it makes, or the moment when it happens.
   - Simple: One ring of a clock's bell, the sound it makes, or the moment it rings.
   - _The New Year's fireworks began on the stroke of twelve._
   - _She lay awake and heard each stroke as the hall clock struck three._
7. An act of moving a hand or an object lightly along a surface in one direction; a caress.
   - Simple: A light touch made by moving your hand or an object along something in one direction.
   - _She gave the old dog a stroke on the head as she passed._
   - _With long strokes of her hand, she smoothed the wrinkled tablecloth._
8. The act of hitting the ball with a racket; also, the swing of the arm and racket that produces the hit.
   - Simple: A hit of the ball with a racket, or the swing of arm and racket that makes it.
   - _Her two-handed backhand is the most reliable stroke in her game._
   - _The tennis coach filmed his strokes in slow motion to fix his follow-through._
9. A single attempt to hit the ball with a club; also, in match play, a shot deducted from a player's score at a hole under a handicapping system.
   - Simple: One swing at the ball with a golf club, or a shot taken off a score because of a handicap.
   - _He won the tournament by two strokes after a birdie on the final hole._
   - _With her higher handicap, Maria gets a stroke on the three hardest holes._
11. An act of hitting someone or something; a single blow.
   - Simple: One hit or blow against someone or something.
   - _The door rattled under the heavy strokes of his fists._
   - _Each stroke of the hail on the tin roof rang like a drumbeat._
12. A single movement or thrust of a part that moves back and forth, such as a piston or connecting rod; also, the distance it travels.
   - Simple: One movement of a part that goes back and forth, like a piston, or how far it moves.
   - _During the intake stroke, the piston moves down and draws air into the cylinder._
   - _Engineers lengthened the stroke to give the engine more pulling power at low speeds._
14. One swing, sweep, or other motion of a tool, or the blow it lands when it meets an object.
   - Simple: One movement made with a tool, or one hit of a tool against something.
   - _The woodcutter brought down the young pine in a dozen strokes._
   - _Each stroke of the hammer drove the nail deeper into the beam._
15. The movement of an oar or paddle through the water, either the whole cycle or only the propelling phase; also, the way the movements are made, or a rowing style.
   - Simple: One pull of an oar or paddle through the water, or the way a person rows.
   - _The crew raised the rate to thirty-six strokes a minute for the final sprint._
   - _Her stroke is long and clean, and her oar leaves the water with almost no splash._
16. The slash or oblique (/), a slanting line used in writing and printing. *(Commonwealth, Ireland, UK)*
   - Simple: The slanting line (/) used in writing, also called a slash.
   - _Please quote reference 4471 stroke B in all future correspondence._
   - _He styles himself a singer-stroke-songwriter, though he mostly plays other people's songs in pubs._
17. One of the lines that together make up a written character, such as a letter.
   - Simple: One of the lines you draw to make a letter or other written sign.
   - _In calligraphy class, students practice each stroke of a character until it is smooth and even._
   - _Many Chinese dictionaries arrange characters by the number of strokes they contain._
18. A flattering or friendly act or remark directed at someone in order to influence them. *(US)*
   - Simple: Kind or flattering words or acts used to get someone to do what you want.
   - _A handwritten thank-you note from the CEO is the kind of stroke that keeps big clients loyal._
   - _Lobbyists know that a few well-timed strokes, like a dinner invitation or a mention in a speech, can win a senator's vote._
20. A blow struck with a weapon, as in a fight or as a punishment.
   - Simple: One hit with a weapon, such as a sword or a stick.
   - _With a single stroke of his saber, the cavalry officer cut the flag from its pole._
   - _Under the old school rules, a pupil caught fighting could receive four strokes of the cane._
21. An amount of work done, and in particular a sizable volume of business or labor.
   - Simple: An amount of work, especially a lot of business or work.
   - _Half the team hasn't done a stroke of work since the merger was announced._
   - _The holiday rush brought the print shop a welcome stroke of business._
23. A damaging event, especially a sudden one, that falls like a heavy blow; a calamity.
   - Simple: Something bad that happens, often suddenly, and causes harm.
   - _The closing of the mill was a heavy stroke to the whole town, which had depended on it for a century._
   - _News of the scandal came as a sudden stroke to the party only weeks before the election._
25. A single discharge of lightning, especially one that causes damage.
   - Simple: One single strike of lightning, especially one that damages something.
   - _A single stroke of lightning knocked out power to the whole neighborhood._
   - _Investigators believe a lightning stroke started the fire in the dry hills._
27. A gesture of encouragement that reassures someone; in transactional analysis, a reaction to a person, usually a positive one, that meets their desires or needs.
   - Simple: A kind word or act that supports someone and makes them feel noticed.
   - _The counselor offered a stroke each time the patient spoke honestly about his feelings._
   - _Children who get few positive strokes at home may misbehave just to be noticed._
28. The rower seated nearest the stern, whose oar sets the rhythm for the rest of the crew; also, the seat in the boat that rower occupies.
   - Simple: The rower at the back of the boat who sets the beat for the others, or the seat they sit in.
   - _As stroke, he had to hold a steady rhythm even when the crew behind him began to tire._
   - _The coach moved her from the bow seat to stroke because she had the steadiest timing in the eight._
29. A distinctive touch or turn of expression in a piece of writing.
   - Simple: A small, special touch in a piece of writing.
   - _The editor admired the final stroke of the essay, a single line that turned the whole argument around._
   - _A few deft strokes of irony lift the memoir above the usual celebrity fare._
30. In cricket, the act of hitting the ball with the bat, or a single shot played in that way.
   - Simple: In cricket, a hit of the ball with the bat.
   - _With a crisp stroke through the covers, the opener reached his half-century._
   - _His range of strokes on both sides of the wicket made him hard to bowl to._

## Verb

2. To move a hand, or an object such as a brush or broom, lightly along a surface in one direction; to caress.
   - Simple: To gently move your hand or a thing like a brush along something in one direction.
   - _He stroked his beard thoughtfully as he read the contract._
   - _Groomers stroke the horse's coat with a soft brush to bring up the shine._
10. To influence a person by persuading or flattering them. *(US)*
   - Simple: To get someone on your side by persuading them or praising them.
   - _Party leaders stroke big donors with private dinners and personal phone calls._
   - _The governor's aides stroked wavering legislators for weeks before the budget vote._
13. To suffer a loss of brain function when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted; to have a stroke. Usually followed by out.
   - Simple: To have a sudden loss of brain function because blood stops reaching the brain.
   - _The patient stroked out on the operating table, and the surgery was stopped._
   - _Without blood thinners, patients like her can stroke out with little warning._
19. To cancel written text by drawing one or more lines through it; followed by out or through.
   - Simple: To draw a line through words to show they are no longer wanted. Used with out or through.
   - _Editors stroke through any sentence that repeats an earlier point._
   - _She stroked out three names on the guest list in pencil._
22. To move through water by swimming with coordinated movements of the arms and legs.
   - Simple: To swim by moving your arms and legs so they work together.
   - _Open-water swimmers stroke steadily through the waves, lifting their heads every few breaths to find the buoys._
   - _He stroked past the leader on the final lap and touched the wall first._
24. To hit or kick the ball with a smooth, flowing motion; also, to score a goal or point with a shot made that way.
   - Simple: To hit or kick a ball in a smooth, easy way, or to score a point like that.
   - _Good hitters stroke the ball to every part of the field instead of trying to pull it._
   - _With ten minutes left, she calmly stroked the penalty home to tie the game._
26. To give someone reassurance and confidence by offering them encouragement.
   - Simple: To help someone feel more sure of themselves by encouraging them.
   - _Good managers stroke their staff with honest praise after a hard week._
   - _The therapist stroked her anxious client through each small step, pointing out what had gone well._

## Other meanings

- (noun) In squash, a point given to a player when the opponent interferes with or blocks their shot.
- (noun) One of a repeated series of pushes against water or air that moves a swimmer, rower, bird or similar forward.
- (noun) One pulsing beat, such as the heart makes.
- (noun) A single forward movement made with the penis during sex.
- (noun) A blow of misfortune bringing injury or death, especially one believed to be sent by God as punishment.
- (noun) In Unicode character names, the term for a horizontal line struck through a character, as in A̶.
- (noun) The power to sway or affect things.
- (noun) Influence exerted quietly behind the scenes.
- (noun) In transactional analysis, a unit of attention or recognition given by one person to another.
- (noun) The damage left by a blow, such as a bruise, a wound or lingering pain.
- (noun) A desire to eat, mainly found in the phrase have a good stroke.
- (noun) Any illness that strikes without warning, particularly one that leaves a person senseless or paralyzed, or ends in death.
- (noun) A single draw of the bow or pluck on a violin, harp or similar, or someone's style of playing music, and by extension a tune.
- (verb) To cross the letter t with its horizontal bar.
- (verb) Of a clock or bell, to ring out the hour or time.
- (verb) To put lines, bands, or stripes on a surface.
- (verb) Of a rower or crew, to keep up a stated rowing rate, measured in strokes each minute.
- (verb) To serve as the rower nearest the stern for a crew or boat, setting the rhythm the others follow.
- (verb) To portray a subject by applying color with brushes.
- (verb) To stimulate oneself sexually by hand.
- (verb) To put someone or something into a particular state by gently rubbing or caressing.
- (verb) To draw milk from a dairy animal, especially squeezing its teats to get out the final drops left in the udder.
- (verb) To carve fine flutes or grooves into a stone surface with a tool.
- (verb) To put an edge on a blade by drawing it repeatedly across a whetstone or steel.
- (verb) To calm someone down, or to win them over with flattery or pampering.

## Origin

**Meanings 1, 3–6, 8–9, 11–17, 19–25, 28–30** — The noun comes from Middle English strok or stroke ("a blow from a weapon, a cut"), from Old English strāc, which goes back through Proto-West Germanic *straik and Proto-Germanic *straikaz to the Proto-Indo-European root *streyg- ("to rub, stroke; to shear; to strike"); it is related to German Streich, Middle Low German strēk and Scots strak. The sense "slash (/)" is short for oblique stroke, a name for the mark first used in telegraphy, and the verb comes from the noun.
**Meanings 2, 7, 10, 18, 26–27** — The verb comes from Middle English stroken or straken ("to caress, pat, rub, smooth, stroke"), from Old English strācian ("to stroke"), from Proto-West Germanic *straikōn ("to caress, stroke"), formed from *straik ("a line, stroke; a dash") with a verb-forming suffix. It is related to German streicheln ("to stroke, fondle") and West Frisian streakje ("to stroke; caress"), and the noun comes from the verb.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/stroke (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).